Stock feeding apparatus for drawing machines



Dec. 3, 1946. w. E; Km 2, 2,04

STOCK FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING MACHINES Filed lay 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. E; KERR STOCK FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING IACHIHES and lay 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Shee t 2 mmvron. [Ya/lace i. Kerr:

1946. r w. EQKERR 2,412,049

STOCK FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING MACHINES .Filed ma 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F IQIO IN VEN TOR.

lVW/ace i Kern Dec, 3, 1946. w; E. KERR 2,412,049 v STOCK FEEDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWING MACHINES INVENTOR [Jul/ace '5 M m WTAM - Patented Dec. 3, 194s UNITED STAT-ES (PATENT orrlcn STOCK FEEDING msns'rus son nnswmu use I Wallace E. Kerr, Youngstown, Ohio 7 Application May 30, 1942, No. mares 86 Claims.

This invention relates to stock feeding and straightening apparatus particularly for metal ion. 2M3) drawing machines and more specifically to the design, construction, assembly, and interrelation of devices having utility in the supplying of stock to the die or dies of a metal drawing machine. The invention also relates to an improved combination of devices for uncoiling, straightening, and shearing stock being furnished a drawbench,

. which devices are in line immediately outward of be materially facilitated and a simple and efficient mechanism may be employed to interrupt the drawing operation if the stock becomes enits happening if it does occur, the eifective support for the coil on the reel is inclined so that the convolutions of the coil will tend to compact against the flange aforesaid and the reel support is made movable upon the attainment of an excessive tension in th stock being payed out so that such movement may be availed of to interrupt the drawing operation. Thirdly, the heavy and springy nature of the stock renders the threading through of a leading end thereof very diiflcult and to facilitate this operation readily controlled means is provided tomove the reel toward and away from the die. enables the operator. to guide the previously straightened and reduced end of the stock into the die while the entire coil and consequently the end is advancing toward the die.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved stock straightener which may be tangled on the reel or reels, and for positioning the stock in the straightener.

A further object or the invention is the provision of an improved stock uncoiling reel and of an improved movable support for the reel, which assembly is of particular utility in'the furnishing of stock to a metal drawing machine. It is now common practice to transfer stock to be drawn in coil form even though such stock be of th ,ori der of 1" in diameter or equivalent area in other section. The preparing, handling and feeding .of this coiled stock to the die or drawbench presents substantial dimc'ulties which are overcome by the methods and devices of the present invention, First, vthe'coils are of great weight and must be carefully handled to avoid damage tothe stock or to the apparatus. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention the uncoiling reel is mounted for rotation about'an axis which i slightly inclined so that the heavy coil may slide slowly into engagement with a flange on the lowermost end of the reel. The reel drum is elongated to enable a succeeding coil to be placed on the outer end thereof while a coil resting against the flange is being payed out. Secondly, the individual convolutions of the coils are in themselves heavy but springy and during the uncoiling operation the convolutions have a tendency to open up and become ensnarled. To

avoid this occurrence and the consequences of advantageously employed intermediate the uncoiling reel .and the die in a drawing assembly. Because of the diiliculty of handling the heavy coils and bending the stock of the coil it is impractical to thread heavy stock through a straightener a it issues from the coil and before it enters the die. This problem is overcome bythepresent invention by employing a straightener of improved design which is so constructed that the opposing banks of straightening rolls are readily moved apart whereby a previously straightened end portion of the stock may be inserted broadside between the banks and the banks quickly closed to straightening positions.

A still further object of the invention is the incorporation of a shear immediately ahead of the die or dies of the drawing machin whereby the stock may be readily severed to avoid the entry into the die or dies of defective or damis operative to sever either stock length without V disturbing the other length.

The above and other specific objects and adlnthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a metal drawing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, the view showing in schematic outline a draw motor control which is part of the present invention;

This mechanism.

3 a v Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of a portion .of the uncoiling assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view.'partly in section, of

the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line V- -V of Figure 4; 1 v

Figure 6 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale,

of the reel moving apparatus 'of the invention;

Figures '7, 3 and 9 are side,-plan, and end views,-

respectively, of the stock straightening machine of the invention, which machine is utilized in the assembly of Figures 1 and 2:v

and an equivalent area if of other section. This stock is transferred to the drawing plant in coil form and as it is often of alloy steel, the coils are still, springy, and generally dimcult to handle. The coils are suspended on a suitable trolley hoist, not shown, and while so suspended the outer ends thereof are inserted in a suitable straightener, not shown, to straighten the leading end portions of the stock, and-the ends are then inserted in a turning pointer to reduce the leading few inches of the stock pieces for insertion through the drawing die or dies. After this preliminary preparation the coils are transferred to the apparatus of the present invention and handled in the manner to be described below.

In the drawings, reference numeral i designates the bed of a drawbench on which travels the tong buggy It, which is arranged to be moved outwardly by the chain I2. The latter is, in accordance with usual practice, adapted to be driven by motor I3 through suitable reduction gearing l4. At the end of bench I2 opposite the motor I3 is a die holder is provided with two vertically spaced drawing dies. The tongs on buggy I I are operative to simultaneously grip and draw the two vertically spaced stock pieces so that multiple drawing may be effected. Positioned adjacent .the entering end of the die block I2 is a shear assembly i3 which is shown in detail in Figures 11, 12 and 13 and which will be fully described below. Outwardly of the shear i3 and'aligned with respect to the lines of draw is a straightener I I which is shown in detail in Figures 7 through 10. Outwardly of the straightener I1 is the uncoiling assembly which, .in the specifically disclosed embodiment includes two reels l3 and I! each mounted on a support movable in guides 20 toward and away from the die block it and other elements of the assembly. Referring now'to Figures 3 through 6 each ofv the guides 23 consists of a flanged beam and resting on the flanges thereof are the wheels 2|, four of which support a carriage 22. The carriage 22 supports the reel is by means of an arm 23 which extends upwardlyand outwardly from one side of the carriage. Reel i3 is immediately supported on a shaft 24 extending outwardly and upwardly from the upper end of arm 23 and consists of two principal assemblies now to be described. Rotatably mounted on the inner or arm end of shaft 24 is a member having a hub or drum portion 23 and a radially extending flange 23 at the inner orarm end of the drum 23. By referring a to Figures 3 and-4 it will be observed that the arm 23 is providedwith a lower side surface 21 which is substantially in general continuation of the coil engaging surface of the fiange, 23 for a purpose to be later described. To-the outer end of shaft 24 is secureda fixed drum 23 in which is pivotally mountedthe coil retaining arms 23. Arms 23 are in the form of bell-crank-levers, the

- outer ends of the short legs of which are pivotaily connected to a slideable member 33 having a central threaded bore .to receive a threaded sleeve 3i. .The sleeve 3i is rotatably mounted on the reduced end of shaft 24, as shown, but is restrained against outward axial movement by the nut 32. A handwheel 33 is. secured to sleeve 3i to move the arms 23 radially inward and out- .ward.

Carriage 22 is arranged to be moved toward and away from the die or dies of thedrawin'g machine by the {fluid pressure operated cylinder 34, preferably hydraulic, which is slideably mounted in guides 33 secured to the upper flange of one of the beams 20. The piston in cylinder has a rod 33 which is connected to block 31 secured to carriage 22 through the pin 33- and block 33. A conduit is provided for each end of cylinder 34 and a four-way valve, not shown, is provided to control the fiow of fiuid into and out of the conduits'and to lock the fluid in the cylinder regardless of the positior'rof the piston therein.

The cylinder 34 is slideably mounted as stated and extending outwardly fromthe end thereof opposite the rod end is a tube 4i having an integral inwardly directed flange 42 at its outer end Tube 4| is rigidly connected to cylinder 34 and is arranged to house a coil spring 43. The latter has one of its ends abutting the flange 42 while its other end engages a head 44 of a bolt 45 the outer end of which is adiustably anchored in a block 43 secured to thebeam 23.

Normally, the spring 43 remains in its expanded condition, as'shown in Figure 6, and the cylinder 34 remains in the same position and so is operable to move the carriage 22 toward or away from the die or dies of the drawing machine. Regardless of whether the rod 33 is fully extended or whether it is locked in otherposition by closing off both conduits 43' the tension required to uncoil the stock on the reel I3 is opposed by the spring 43. If the coil should become entangled on the reel serious damage would result due to thegreat force exerted by the draw motor unless the motor were stopped and to provide for this safety feature I employ a switch which is operative upon the application of exceso sive tension to the reel to stop the draw motor. This switch may be either made responsive to the presence of excessive pressure of the fluid in the rod end of the cylinder Or to the collapsing of spring 43 as shown in the drawings. This switch.

designated by reference numeral 41 is provided with an operator 43 arranged to be engaged by an arm 43 extending outwardly of the'tube 4|.

Switch 41 is normally closed and is in series with the coil 43 of a relay, the main contactors of 7 which control the fiow of current to the motor 7 l3 from the line L. Coil 43 is energized from a source CL. The relay aforesaid opens immediately upon interruption of the coil energizing circuit and by referring to Figure 1 it should be at once apparent that as soon as the reel."

moves to compress spring 43 the motor [8 will be stopped to interrupt the drawing movement of the stock. In practice, the motor I8 may be provided with a magnetic brake to increase its deceieration. Upon removal of the obstruction,

switch 41 and the relay reclose and operation of the drawing machine may continue.

Reel [8 and its carriage is identical in all respects to the reel l8 and its carriage with the exception of the arm 28 which, of course, is higher for the reel it than it is for the reel I8, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3. The reel I! in the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 is arranged to furnish stock to the lower die in holder I! while the reel I 8 furnishes stock to the upper die. it being understood that the stock is pulled off the tops of the coils which are on the drum 2!.

Referring to. Figures '7 through 10 of the drawings the improved stock straightener of the invention comprises a housing or frame 88 which is slideable in guides SI for sidewise movement with respect to the line" of draw. A screw 52 journaled in a flxed block 53 and held against axial movement with respect thereto is provided to move the straightener and such movement may be resorted to either to align the passes of the straightener with the dies or to withdraw the straightener out of the path of travel of the stock in the event that the use of the straightener is not desired. The rolls of the straightener are overhung, being carried by the ends of shafts anti-frictionally journaled in the frame 88. Two

vertically spaced straightening passes are provided-the lower rolls 54 of the upper pass and the upper rolls 55 of the lower pass'being arranged in nested or alternated relation as shown proper straightening positions cam blocks 88 are employed on opposite sides of the machine to engage inclined or cam surfaces on the blocks 1. Blocks 68 are adjustably secured to screws 8! and a yoke 82 bridges the outer ends of the screws 8|. Yoke 62 is adiustably connected to the pistonrod 63 of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 68 and it should be apparent that actuation of cylinder 88 is operative to quickly move the rolls 58 either upwardly or downwardly as the case may be. An adjustable interconnection .88 determines the flnal operative setting of the rolls 88.

The lower rolls 66 of the lower pass are carried by shafts which are Journaled in vertically slideable blocks 81 and the cam blocks 88 are again provided to move the blocks 81 upwardly. The lower rolls 88 are movable downwardly by gravity and as in the case of the upper roll set it the lower roll set 86 is arranged to be quickly moved by a cylinder 81' acting through adjustable interconnection 88, yoke 88 and rod 18, one

of which latter is positioned on eitherside of the machine.

In apparatus of the above nature entering side guide rolls are required and the inner two of these are designated by reference numeral 1 l and the outer two by reference numeral 12. The.

ably linked with the upper yoke is while the a lower lever 14 is adjustably linked with the lower yoke 88, as shown in Figure 7. It should be apparent'that upon the actuationof cylinder 88 to move the yoke 02 inwardly, the rolls 56 will be moved upwardly and the upper side guide roll 12 will be swung out of the way in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7 and in this opened condition of the rolls a length of stock may be readily inserted between the rolls in a sidewise direction and upon actuation of cylinder 64 to move the yoke outwardly all the rolls of the upper pass will be moved into operative guiding and straightening positions. The lower rolls 86 and the lower of the side guide rolls 12 may be opened and closed in the same manner to enable a stock length to be moved sideways into the lower straightening pass. The adjustable connection 88 controls the operative setting of the rolls 88 and I2.

Referring now to Figures 11, 12 and 13,. the

shear i8 comprises the two arms "and 18 having the shearing jaws l1. and 18, respectively, and these two members are pivotally connected by the pin 18. A supportinglever 88 pivotally mounted at 8| has an outer windowed portion 82 to receive the upper portions of the arms 18 and It and pin 19 extends through theside walls of the portion 82. Arms 15 and 18 are arranged to be moved toward or away from each other by an air cylinder 83 and anotherair or hydraulic cylinder 84. is provided to rock arm 88 and raise or lower the sheer. Pin 8| is anchored in the bracket 88 which .in turn is secured to' a base 86 fixed in relation to the operative elements of the drawing machine. 7

Normally the shear is in lower position as it is shown in Figure 11 but when it is desired to employ the same to sever a length of stock extending from a die of the drawing machine, .the cylinder 88 is actuated and the shear moved upwardly to position the shearing dies 81 on opposite sides of the stock length to be cut. Pin 8! is so positioned that when the shear is raised to operative position the dies 81 will be centered on opposite sides of the stock and it should be further observed that by reason of the pivotal suspension of the shear 18 the stock will be severed without bending. Thus the dies 81 maybe said to be self-centering with respect to the stock as the stock is being severed. In the event that it is desired to sever the upper length of stock, the

lower length is received in the space 88 between the jaws l1 and I8.

In practice, control valves (notshown) for the reel cylinders 88, the cylinders of the straightener' l1, and the cylinders of the shear are positioned adjacent the die holder 18 and in setting the machine up for operation, a coil of stock whose end has been previously straightened and turned as explained above is placed in position on one of the reels adjacent the flange 28. It should be observed that the slight slope (approximately 15 in practice) of the reel drum allows the heavy coil to slide slowly into engagement with the flange 28 .thereby avoiding any damage which may be caused by a heavy impact. .Also the upwardly and outwardly extending direction or the drum facilitates the transfer of the coils from the hoist hook to the reel as will be well understood. Since the weight of the coil is suspended principally from the top of the drum surface 28,- the inclination of such surface compacts the convolutions or the coils against the flange and thereby tends to keep the coils in proper condiadds in preventing entanglement of the convolu;

tions of the coils.

When a coil is positioned onone of the drums 15 the straightened leading end portion thereof may be inserted broadside into the straightener H as explained above and the reduced end thereof may be manually guided through the die while the cylinder 34 connected with the particular reel on which the coil is positioned is' actuated to move the reel and coil toward the die. In. this manner the end of the stock is threaded through the die so that it may be grasped by the tongs or bits on the buggy ll. When the reel has reached its proper advanced position, the fiuidis locked in the end of cylinder 34 as explained above so that during the drawing operation the uncoiling tension is opposed by the spring 43 which upon flexing stops the operation of the draw motor. It will be obvious upon inspection of Figures '3 and .4 and noting the elongated nature. of the carriage 22 as well as'the nesting arrangement of the wheels 2| within the flanges of the guides 20 that the reel supporting arms '23 will be efl'ectively restrained from-forward tiltihg movement during the uncoiling of the stockheld on the reels.

. While the coils on the drums 25 are being uncolled succeeding coils may be positioned on the drums 28, being restrained by the arms I! which upon rotation of wheels 33 are retracted to allow the coils to slide onto drums 26.. It

should be observed that either drum 2' may be. loaded while the coil on the other drum is being uncolled.

It should nowbe apparent that I have provided improved machines and a novelarrangement of machines for supplying coiled stock-to adrawbench which' fpll y accomplishes the objects initially set out. By the use of the invention the coiled stool; may befed to the drawbench in a more'emcient-and orderly manner than has heretofore been possible. The rate of production of the drawbench may be materially increased and the resultant productis of a higher and more uniform quality. The drawbench may be made substantially automatic in operation, an automatic shear It being provided to sever the drawn stockupon, the completion of a draw.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered as illustrative only as obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, other means than the means specifically described may be employed to separate the banks of rolls of the straightener I g s the axis of" rotation of said reel, the center of said drum being spaced vertically from said line of draw.

' reel whereby the stock coming of! the coil on drawing machine comprising a reel mounted for rotation about an inclined axis lying in a plane said second mentionedreel will pass' over the coil positioned on said first mentioned reel.

' 3. Apparatus for supplying stock to a metal substantially normal to the line of draw, said reel having an inner coil receiving drum, and an outercoil receiving drum on which may be stored a coil of stock pending the paying-out of the first mentioned coil, said drums providing a substantially uninterrupted coil supporting surface to slideably support the coils during transfer from storage position to pay ng-out position.

4. Apparatus according to'claim 3 further including means to retain a coil of stock on said storage drum, and means to retract said retaining means whereby said coil may he slid down onto said revolvabie drum.

5. In combination with metal drawing apparatus havinga die defining the line of draw. means to feed coil stock to said dieand apparatus comprising a reel positioned outwardly of said die and mounted for rotation about an axis lying in a "plane substantially normal to the line of draw, said reel adapted to receive a coil of stock and comprising a drum and an adjacent annular flange at one end thereof, said flange extending normal to the axis of rotation of said i-eel, the top coil supporting surface of said drum being inclined downwardly toward said flange whereby the coil will tend to remain. in position against said flange.

and variations in the design and construction of the reels may be made while yet retaining the benefits of the teachings of the present invention.

Reference should therefore be had to the ap-' pended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

i. In combination with metal drawing apparatus having-a die defining the line of draw, means to supplycoiled stock to said die and apparatus comprising a.- reel positioned outwardly of said die and mounted'for rotation about an inclined axis lying in a plane substantially normal to said line of draw, said reel being adapted to receive a coil of stock and comprising a drum and an adia'centannular flange at the lowermost end of said drum, said flange extending normal to 6. In combination with metal drawing apparatus having a die defining the line of draw, means to supply stock to said die and apparatus comprising an uncoiling drum and a storage drum mounted on a common axis which is substantially normal to the line of draw, means at one end of said uncoiling drum to engage the side 'edge of a coil of. stock, the top coil supporting surfaces of said drums being contiguous and inclined away from said means whereby a coil of stock may slide from said storage drum down onto said uncoiling drum without undue shock or impact against said means. 7. In combination with metal drawing apparatus having a die defining the line of draw.

means to supply coiled stock to said die and apparatus comprising a coil receiving drum and an adjacent annular flange, the coil supporting surface of said drum being inclined downwardly toand power operated means to draw the stock through said die comprising in combination a support, a reel on said support adapted to receive a coil of stock, said support being mounted for.

movement toward and away irom said die in a direction substantially parallel with said line of draw, yieldable means to oppose movement of said support toward said die as results from tension in the stock intermediate the' die and coil, means to adjust the resistance to movement effected by said yieldable means, and means responsive to a predetermined extent of yielding of said yielding means to interrupt the flow of power to said power operated means, and means to move said support toward said die.

10. Apparatus for supplying stock machine having a die defining the line of draw and an electric motor for drawing said stock through said die comprising in combination a support movable toward the entering end of said die in a direction substantially parallel with said line of draw, a reel for a coil of stock on said support, yielding means opposing movement of said support toward said die, means responsive to a predetermined extent of yielding of said yielding means to interrupt the flow of current to said motor, said responsive means being operative to effect resumption of said flow. of current upon the diminishing of the extent of said yielding.

11. Apparatus for supplying rod stock to a drawing machine having two vertically spaced drawing dies and means to draw the stock through said dies comprising in combination a pair of reels adapted to pay of: stock from coils positioned thereon, said reels being spaced along a line extending outwardly of said dies and substantially parallel with the lines of draw and positioned in echelon as to elevation.

12. Apparatus for supplying rod stock to a drawing machine having a die defining the line of draw and means to draw the stock through said die comprising in combination a reel adapted to receive a-coil of stock, means to move said reel toward said die, a stock straightener intermediate said reel and die, saidstraightener having a bank of straightening rolls movable away from and toward a cooperating bank of rolls, and means to move said straightener rolls relative to said bank to a drawing forming a straightening pass for the other length, one bank of each pass-forming pair of banls being disposed intermediate the passes, the rolls of one intermediate bank being alternated with ,the rolls of the other of said intermediate banks. I 15. Apparatus for supplying rod stock to a {drawing machine having a die and means to draw the stock through said die comprising in combination a reel adapted to receive a coil of stock, a straightener arranged to condition the stock as it leaves the reel, and a shear intermediate the reel and die for severing the stock as desired, the pass through said straightener being in substantial alignment with the line of draw and with the line of stock pay-off from said reel, said shear being quickly retractable from said alignment of draw for the broadside movement of said stock.

.16. Apparatus for supplying stock to a drawing machine having a pair of dies and means to draw the stock through said dies comprising in combination a pair of reels each adapted to receive a coil of stock, and a shear intermediate said reels and dies, said shear being operative to sever .either one or both of the lengths of stock entering said dies.

17. In combination with a drawing machine having a drawing die defining the line of draw, a shear positioned at the stock entering end of said die, and means mounting said shear for movement toward and away from the line of draw ,whereby the shearing dies thereof may be brought into operative positions on either side of the length of stock to be cut,'said mounting means aifording free self-centering movement of said dies whereby the stock may be severed without bending.

18. In combination with a drawing machine having a pair of dies for simultaneously drawing two lengths of stock in spaced parallel relation, a shear positioned at the entering end of said die, said shear being inovably mounted for movement toward and away from the lines of draw, the path of travel of said shear being such that the shear of cooperating rolls whereby a stock end projecting from said coil may be inserted broadside into working position in said straightener.

13. Apparatus for supplying rod stock to a drawing machine having a die and means to draw thestock through said die comprising in combination a reeladapted to receive a coil of stock broadside, a straightener intermediate said reel ly move said banks of rolls away from and toward each other whereby a length of stock may be inserted broadside into working position in said apparatus, a stock entering guide, and means 4 ,movably mounting said guide for movement out of the path of the broadside movement of said stock when said banks of straightening rolls are moved'apart.

20. In apparatus for feeding coiled stifi rod stock to a metal working machine having a metal 14. Apparatus for simultaneously, straightening two lengths of stock comprising a frame having four banks of straightening rolls joumaled therein, two of the banks forming a straightening pass for one length and the other two of the banks working device and means positioned therebeyond to draw the stock therethrough comprising in combination a track extending forwardlyof said device along a path generally parallel with the path of movement of stock through said device, a carriage having supporting wheels mounted on said track, said track-having means to restrain forward tilting movement of said carriage, a toe]. on said carriage adapted to-hold a coil 0! stock while an unwound end portion thereof is inserted in said device and while said means draws stock (min said coil, and power operated means to move said carriage toward and away from said device to facilitate the threading through said device of the end of a stock portion extending outwardly from the coil held on said reel, said reel being operative to retain said coil in unwinding position on said support during the drawing of said stock regardless of conditions in said coil tending to prevent the unwinding of the stock therefrom.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 further including means to retain said carriage in adjusted position with respect to said device, said retaining means being operative to oppose movement of said carriage in a direction toward said device, means to interrupt said stock drawing means, and means responsive to a predetermined force being applied to said carriage by said stock in a direction tending to move said carriage toward said supporting surface of said drum being inclined downwardly toward said flange whereby the coni volutions of the coil of said drum tend to compact against said flange thus tending to maintain a predetermined alignment of the stock strand with respect to said path of movement as the same is paid off of the coil.

24. Apparatus according to claim 20 furthe including a stock straightener interposed between said reel and said device, and power operated in a broadside manner.

25. Apparatus according to claim 20 further characterized in that said reel comprises a drum having a flange at one end thereof, the coil supporting surface of said drum being inclined downwardly toward said flange, a stock straightener intermediate said reel and device, and means to open the pass through said straightener from the on said shaft, said real comprising a drum portion and a flange on the lower end of said drum portion.

28. Apparatus for supplying stock from a coil thereof comprising means rotatably supporting said coil of stock, said means comprising a down- -wa'rdly inclined surface engaging the inner periphery of said coil and an annular guiding surface at the lower end of said inclined surface to engage a side edge of said coil, the arrangement being suchthat the individual convolutions of the coil tend to compact against said guiding surface whereby the position and alignment of the strand paid off of said coil tends to remain fixed, said supporting surface being adapted to slideably receive a coiled length of stock over theend thereof opposite said guiding surface. -29. Apparatus according to claim 28 further characterized in that said guiding surface is inclined away from its point of junction with said supporting surface. 30. A shear adapted to sever either one of a pair of stock lengths spaced relatively to and generally parallel with each other comprisingin combination a pair of stock severing Jaws. means to move said Jaws toward each other, means to move-said Jaws in a direction substantially coincident with a line passing through and normal to said lengths whereby said jaws may engage either one .or .the other of said lengths,

said Jaws having relieved portions to receive one of said lengths while said laws are severing the other of said lengths.

q 31. A shear for severing a horizontally extending length of stock comprising a pair of jaws each'having a cutter portion adapted to engage means to open the pass through said straightener whereby a stock strand may be inserted therein side coinciding with an open side of said reel whereby a pre-straightened end portion of a opposite sides of said length, jaw closing means, and means pivotally supporting said jaws and said jaw closing means at a point above the center of mass thereof vertically spaced from said portions, the pivotal axis of support being substantially parallel to said length.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31 further characterized in that said :Iaws are pivotally connected for movement toward and away from each other, and a common pin for interconnecting said iaws and for supporting both of said jaws.

33; Apparatus for supplying stifl. rod stock to a drawing machine having a die defining the line of draw comprising in combination guides extending parallel with said line of draw, a support mounted in said guides for movement toward length of coiled stock may be inserted broadside into said straightener while the coil proper is being loaded onto said reel. 26. Stock. feeding apparatus for a drawbench and the like comprising in combination a pay-.

of! reel having a drum and an upstanding flange at one end of the drum, the coil supporting surface of said drum being inclined downwardly toward said flange, a stock straightener intermediate said reel and drawbench and the like, and means to open the pass through said straightener from the side coincident with an open side of said reel whereby a pre-straightened end portion of a'coiled length of stock may be inserted broadside into said straightener while the coil proper is loaded onto said reel.

2'L'8tock feeding apparatus for a drawbench and the like comprising a track. a carriage havand away from said die, said guides being operative to restrain tilting movement of said support in a direction toward said die, a reel mounted on said support for holding a coil of stock while an unwound end portion thereof is inserted in the die and while the drawing machine draws the remaining portion of the stock from said coil, and a controllable means for moving said support to facilitate the threading of the stock and through the die, said reel being operative to retain said coil in unwinding position on said .support during the drawing of said stock regardless of conditions in said coil tending to prevent the unwinding of the stock therefrom.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 further including means to render said support normally immovable at the position along said guides to ing supporting wheels mounted on said track,

a supporting arm extending upwardly from one side of said carriage, an upwardly inclined shaft having its lower end anchored in the upper portion of said arm, and a reel rotatab y mounte which it is moved by said means to move in threading said stock end through said die.

35. Apparatus according ,to claim 33 further characterized in that said means to move comprises a hydraulic fluid pressure displacement motor, the arrangement being such that said support may be held in a substantially fixed adjusted position by fluid pressure confined in said motor.

36. Apparatus according to claim 33 further characterized in that said means to move comprises a hydraulic fluid pressure displacement motor, the arrangement being such that said support may be held in a substantially fixed-ad- 14 justed position by fluid pressure confined in said motor, said drawing machine having means to draw the stock through the die, and means responsive to the attainment of a predetermined excess fluid pressure in said motor to interrupt the operation of said means to draw.

WALLACE E. KERR. 

